Name of murder released; Sheriff’s detectives working on leads; Call the S.O. with information at 271-2501 or Crimestoppers at 822-1111

A 19-year-old man was shot to death on a Violet sidewalk Tuesday night and sheriff’s detectives are following leads, Sheriff James Pohlmann said. No arrests have been made.

Truy Jones was shot several times in the torso just before 8 p.m., the sheriff said.

Reacting to calls about the shooting, sheriff’s deputies found the victim dead on the sidewalk in the 3100 block of Daniel Drive, in front of a duplex near the corner of East Genie.

Jones didn’t reside on the street where he was killed and had recently stayed at several residences in Chalmette and Meraux and also had an address in Kenner.

The victim had a criminal history including currently being out on bond for an arrest a year ago for looting in St. Bernard Parish during Hurricane Isaac. Anyone with information should call the Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501 or Crimestoppers at 822-1111. They could be eligible for a reward if their information leads to an arrest

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School security plan crafted by School Board, Sheriff’s Office

School security is the focus of an initiative jointly announced by St. Bernard Parish Sheriff James Pohlmann and School Superintendent Doris Voitier on behalf of the St. Bernard Parish School Board.

School officials and the Sheriff’s Office have crafted a plan that will place a full-time Resource Officer inside Chalmette High School on a permanent basis and expand the presence of “drug dogs” in the middle and high schools.

Sheriff Pohlmann also announced the return of recently retired Sheriff’s Maj. Darlene Poche, the former commander of the Juvenile Division, into service as a liaison between the Sheriff’s Office and the school district. Poche’s role strengthens communication between the two groups, both Pohlmann and Voitier said.

The two agencies additionally agreed to step up residency checks to ensure that only St. Bernard residents are attending public schools.

“I think we have the making of a new and exciting service to our residents and children in the parish with this new school security plan,” said Pohlmann.

The sheriff emphasized the plan builds on initiatives already in place through an ongoing cooperative agreement between law enforcement and the schools.

Superintendent Voitier pointed out that resource officers have been in place at Rowley Alternative School for some time. She also said that “drug dogs” returned to duty in parish middle schools last spring for the first time since Hurricane Katrina and will be used again.

“We welcome into discussions regarding school security the expertise of our Sheriff’s Office, which continues to make our parish the metro area’s safest,” said Voitier. As an example of past cooperation, Voitier pointed to ongoing practice exercises of the Swat Team inside parish schools to familiarize officers with school layouts in a proactive preparation in case of school intruder events.

The two parish leaders assured St. Bernard residents that school safety is a priority for their two entities and direct discussions will be ongoing.

“Our public schools are safe places for children and have always been that way,” said Pohlmann. “We are fortunate that weapons have never made their way into our schools, and it is our joint responsibility and strong determination to keep it that way.”

Voitier added that a mission of the school district is to provide safe, secure places for teaching and learning. “We consider this initiative a step toward accomplishing that mission,” she said.

Resource officers traditionally serve in schools not only in an effort to provide security but also as a way to improve communication and relationships between the Sheriff’s Office and parish teenagers.

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Class of sheriff’s Citizens Police Academy uses firearms simulator for split-second decision on shooting a suspect; Call 278-7628 to take free course

Sheriff’s deputy Daniel Bostic looks as a video, prepared toi fire, as he does refresher training on the firearms simulator that was loan to the Sheriff’s Office from the state Attorney General’s office.

Natalie Seaton, left, and Patsy Cantrell, both of eastern St. Bernard Parish, are shown from behind, with a video on a screen in front of them.

“Resistance” was a word that kept coming up, as St. Bernard Parish residents described using a firearms simulator in the current sheriff’s Citizens Police Academy class, which put them in the shoes of a policeman to decide whether to shoot a criminal suspect.

The simulator, on loan from the state Attorney General’s office, uses computerized videos of situations a real officer could face that are blared on a screen. Members of the free class given by the Sheriff’s Office then make a quick decision whether to fire on a suspect – the same decision an actual officer would have to make.

The simulator is always a popular feature of the 10-week Citizens Police Academy course. Anyone interested in more information about the annual class or other free classes given by the Sheriff’s Office, including “Refuse to be a Victim,’’ being held in December, should call Capt. Charles Borchers at (504) 278-7628

“It was a highlight of the class,’’ said Kathie Acosta, a teacher from Chalmette, said of the firearms simulator after she took part in the program on Oct. 2. “It shows the kind of decisions cops have to make.’’ She and about 35 others are in the current Citizens Police class.

“You get the simulation of what happens without the reality of facing what really happens’’ between police and suspects,’’ said Jamie Downes of Chalmette, another participant.

Jake Bivona of Violet said the video scenarios “were so realistic. You can see what police may have to go through each day.’’

After going through the program, Natalie Seaton of Violet said she understood that seeing someone breaking into your car at a distance may not give you legal standing to shoot them if they aren’t a threat to you, but that you do have cause to shoot if they are coming into your home or a threat or otherwise a threat to harm you.

“How you perceive something at first may not be the way it really is,’’ she added.

Sheriff James Pohlmann said, “We think this gives participants a real feel for police work. Residents see what officers have to deal with and the decisions they may have to make.’’

Maj. David DiMaggio, head of training for the Sheriff’s Office, told participants. “This is about as realistic as we can make it for you,’’

Sheriff’s Deputy Eric Wickbolt, who watched as his wife, Melissa, and children, Eric and Alexis, used the simulator, said, “This is realistic’’ in the ways police are shown in various videos responding to calls or stopping motorists, such as responding to domestic situations or disturbances of other types. “I have been on calls similar to these,’’

St. Bernard sheriff’s deputies also did refresher training on the firearms simulator during the days it was on loan to the Sheriff’s Office.

Two members of the class at a time taking part were armed with handguns powered by CO2 gas. Participants view a video of officers on a call and see various situations that might arise, including a motorist pulling a weapon at a traffic stop or even hostage situations. Then the person with the gun is called upon to decide if they would use deadly force on a suspect in the situation.

Also, Citizens Police Academy participants the same night were shown displays of weapons from the SWAT team and equipment such as a bomb robot used to check suspicious items, a less-than-lethal shotgun which fires bean bags and a chemical weapon gun for firing tear gas.

More than 500 residents have taken the Citizens Police Academy course since its introduction some 10 years ago.

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Sheriff’s Office investigating deaths of a Chalmette married couple in their ‘70s; Deaths are unclassified pending an autopsy scheduled for Tuesday

The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the deaths of a married couple, both in their ‘70s, who were found dead in their home on Monday morning, but the deaths are unclassified pending an autopsy scheduled for Tuesday, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

“We are releasing few details until an autopsy is done,’’ the sheriff said. “This could be a murder-suicide involving the husband, who was 74, and the wife, who was 71.’’

“There are extenuating circumstances that affect what the classification of deaths may be and we won’t go into that pending the autopsy.’’

Sheriff Pohlmann continued, “There are absolutely no indications a third party was involved, including no evidence of a forced entry of the home.’’ Cash and valuables were on the scene with no indications anything was removed, he said.

A sitter for the couple found them dead when she came to the home about 8:15 a.m. on Monday.

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Woman pedestrian struck and killed in Violet on Sunday night, investigation being handled by State Police

A woman pedestrian was struck and killed in Violet Sunday night and an investigation was being handled by Louisiana State Police Troop B with help from the Sheriff’s Office.
Few details were available but the woman, whose name hasn’t been released, was possibly hit by two vehicles at Allo Mumphrey Drive and East St. Bernard Highway, with one car knocking her to the ground and what was described as possibly a dump truck then striking her while she was down.

The driver of the first vehicle stopped and was being interviewed but the truck driver, who may not have known the vehicle had hit someone on the ground kept going.

Authorities were stopping dump trucks in Chalmette looking for the driver involved.

The incident happened about 8:45 p.m.

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Weakened Karen may be downgraded to tropical depression before hitting La. Coast; Sheriff’s Office to continue extra patrols from early Saturday to early Sunday mornings

Tropical Storm Karen weakened overnight Friday and may be downgraded to a tropical depression by the time it hits the Louisiana Coast Saturday night, weather forecasters said. There could still be rains of 1-3 inches in places and winds of 20-30 mph in the St. Bernard Parish area. A 10 a.m. track of the storm showed it could touch off lower Plaquemines Parish Saturday night and move along Gulf Coast states to Georgia. St. Bernard Parish Sheriff James Pohlmann, after a conference call Saturday morning with state officials, said the department will continue its plan to have extra patrols from early Saturday to early Sunday mornings – particularly in the areas outside the hurricane protection areas of easternmost St. Bernard. “This is a precaution,’’ the sheriff said. “There could be some heavy rainfall in places and residents should be careful about road conditions if they will driving.” “The extra patrols will be undertaken to make sure we have manpower in all areas in the event of a problem as well as for extra protection for property of residents.’’ Also, a check point will continue at Reggio at the junction to Yscloskey and Delacroix Island in eastern St. Bernard. People who live or have camps outside the levee protection system have been moving boats and vehicles to higher ground, many parking camper vehicles on the sides of the Louisiana 46 Extension near the flood gate at Verret. “Stay alert, keep up with weather reports and call the Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501 for any emergencies related to the storm,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. Meanwhile, Parish President David Peralta signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency for the parish, effective Saturday at 8 a.m. Residents can stay updated through local media and the sheriff’s web site at www.sbso.org, the parish government web site at www.sbpg.net, through Facebook and Twitter.

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Sheriff’s Office to have extra patrols during Tropical Storm Karen from early Saturday to early Sunday mornings; check point to continue at junction to Yscloskey and Delacroix; Parish President declares state of emergency

The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office will have extra patrols during Tropical Storm Karen from early Saturday to early Sunday mornings – particularly in the areas outside the hurricane protection areas of easternmost St. Bernard – and a check point will continue at the junction to Yscloskey and Delacroix, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

“The extra patrols will be undertaken to make sure we have manpower in all areas in the event of a problem from the approaching tropical storm,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said, “as well as for extra protection for property of residents.’’

Also, a check point will continue at Reggio at the junction to Yscloskey and Delacroix Island in eastern St. Bernard and would remain there unless surge water rises to that spot, the sheriff said.

Weather forecasters say 2-4 inches of rain and winds of 25-35 mph or higher in some areas are possible from Tropical Storm Karen , Sheriff Pohlmann said.

People who live or have camps outside the levee protection system have been moving boats and vehicles to higher ground on Thursday and Friday, many parking camper vehicles on the sides of the Louisiana 46 Extension near the flood gate at Verret.

“Stay alert, keep up with weather reports and call the Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501 for any emergencies related to the storm,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. He also said to take precautions for rain and wind so your property isn’t damaged, including securing items on your property, clearing debris from drains near your home so they work properly and protecting garbage dumpsters so they don’t spill over.

The Sheriff’s Office is prepared for a rain event, said Sheriff Pohlmann, including having a new high-water truck that can be used for such purposes as helping people in localized street flooding or moving groups if officers to respond to an emergency.

Meanwhile, Parish President David Peralta has announced he will sign an executive order declaring a state of emergency for the parish, effective Saturday at 8 a.m., as a result of the forecasted conditions of the storm. Such a declaration would make possible state National Guard troops being sent into the parish to help with storm-related activities.

Peralta is calling for a voluntary evacuation for residents and businesses outside of the hurricane protection levee.

Also, Parish Clerk of Court, Randy Nunez has cancelled scheduled early voting on Saturday, Oct. 5 for a parish judicial race and early voting will resume on Monday, Oct, 7.

Residents can stay updated through local media and the sheriff’s web site at www.sbso.org, the parish government web site at www.sbpg.net, through Facebook and Twitter.

Also, residents should have an emergency kit ready with a flashlight, batteries, radio, first aid supplies, basic tools, and extra car keys if possible.

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Sheriff’s Office monitoring movement of Tropical Storm Karen and residents should remain alert and pay attention to weather reports

The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with parish government, is monitoring Tropical Storm Karen and while the system appears to be heading north-northeast the sheriff said residents should be prepared for rain and winds beginning as early as Friday night or Saturday.

The sheriff said residents and business operators should be alert and prepared for things including possible rain water build-up on streets and even possible electrical outages.

The Sheriff’s Office is prepared for a rain event, Sheriff Pohlmann, including a new high-water truck that can be used for such things as rescuing people in localized street flooding or moving groups if officers to respond to an emergency.

Areas of eastern St. Bernard Parish outside the parish’s hurricane protection levee system would be most vulnerable.

For emergencies, call the Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501.

Tropical Storm Karen strengthened Thursday, reaching sustained winds of roughly 65 miles per hour as it headed toward open water.

Forecasters expect the storm to turn more northward and slow down during the next two days, although it could tack east for a landfall near Alabama and the Florida panhandle.

Gov. Bobby Jindal declared a state of emergency, and mobilized 650 Louisiana National Guard troops to respond to the storm.

St. Bernard Parish President David Peralta said parish officials and staff are in constant communications with the National Weather Service and surrounding key agencies to monitor the current weather situation. To help protect against localized flooding caused by rains, residents are reminded they can do certain things to help, including clearing debris from drains, gutters and downspouts, securing lawn furniture, garbage dumpsters and other objects that could be moved by strong winds. Also, have an emergency kit ready with a flashlight, batteries, radio, first aid supplies, basic tools, and extra car keys.

Parish government reminds residents who haven’t signed up with the parish’s Emergency Notification Service Provider, FirstCall, can do so now by calling (504) 278-4268. The FirstCall Emergency Notification Service can immediately deliver emergency alerts to citizens and first responders. These alerts will go to landlines, cell phones, SMS text messaging devices, email and pagers. Mass numbers of residents can be alerted with important information in five minutes or less. You must provide the name of your cell provider when registering for FirstCall.

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St. Bernard man arrested for child abuse for slapping young son to the face out of frustration while bathing him, causing the boy to slip and hit his face on the tub

A St. Bernard Parish father was arrested for child abuse after he slapped his 3-year-old son to the face in frustration when the boy soiled himself as the man was preparing to bathe him, with the slap causing the boy to slip and hit his face on the side of the tub, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

The child also had a bite mark to the face, the sheriff said.

The 3-year-old was taken to St. Bernard Parish Hospital by his mother on Friday night, Sept. 27, after she heard him crying loudly following the injury and she found his face bloodied.

Joshua Drakin, 32, 1709 Gnell Drive, in eastern St. Bernard Parish, was later booked with second-degree battery, which is a felony, and cruelty to a juvenile, the sheriff said.

Drakin was booked into St. Bernard Parish Prison early Saturday morning and remains there in lieu of bond set at $7,500.

The mother, interviewed at the hospital by a responding deputy, said she was asleep when awakened by the child crying and the father yelling at him. When she went into the bathroom, she found her son was injured and while cleaning the blood off him and tending to a laceration, she asked what had happened, the sheriff said.

She said the father told her the boy had gotten into the refrigerator and made a mess of leftovers and needed a bath. She said he also told her when he removed the child’s pants to bathe him he found the boy had soiled himself, and claimed he “freaked out’’ and slapped him, causing the child to slip and hit the side of the tub, a sheriff’s report of the incident said. She also saw a bite mark to the boy’s face, the mother told deputies.

The child, when questioned, said his father had hit and bit him in the bath.

After his arrest, Joshua Drakin admitted to slapping his son in the face, causing him to fall, but denied biting his face.

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